SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR BRANDING PHARMACEUTICAL/MEDICAL CONTAINERS

• US 20110023416A1
• Filed: 07/16/2010
• Published: 02/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Express Scripts Strategic Development, Inc. (The Cigna Group)
• Original Assignee: Medco Health Solutions Incorporated (The Cigna Group)
• Inventors: Rice, Dennis W., Leu, Chih-Jen, Mcerlean, James G.
• Granted Patent: US 8,065,858 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 53/415
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 35/26 by rotary conveyors
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 5/045 in bags
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 5/06 Packaging groups of articles, the groups being treated as single articles
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 5/103 for packaging pills or tablets
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 61/20 for adding cards, coupons or other inserts to package contents adding unpacking elements B65B61/18
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 61/26 for marking or coding completed packages
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 7/28 by applying separate preformed closures, e.g. lids, covers
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 1/026 and the article being moved out of its normal conveyance path towards the labelling head B65C1/028 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 2009/0081 Means for forming a label web buffer, e.g. label web loop
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 2009/0093 Devices switching between a peelable and a non peelable position
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 9/1876 and being transferred by suction means
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 9/44 by special means responsive to marks on labels or articles feed control in wrapping B65B
• CPC Class Codes: B67B 3/00 Closing bottles, jars or similar containers by applying caps caps per se B65D41/00
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers

Abstract

Systems and methods for branding medication are provided, including, a first capper system that caps a first medication container with a first cap of a first branding including first identification of a third party supplier of one of the prescription and medication order; a second capper system that caps a second medication container with a second cap of a second branding including second identification of another third party supplier of the one of the prescription and medication order; a transport system that transports the first and second medication containers; and a control system that controls the transport system to transport the first and second medication containers based on customer information, and controls the one of the first capper system and the second capper system to cap the first and second medication containers with one of the first and second caps.

Claims

1-17. -17. (canceled)

18. A method for branding at least one medication container associated with at least one of a prescription and medication order comprising:

transporting at least one first medication container and second medication container to one of a first capper system and a second capper system based on customer information associated with the at least one first and second medication containers; and

capping at least of the at least one first and second medication containers with one of a cap with first branding and a cap with second branding based on the customer information.

19. A method for branding at least one medication container associated with at least one of a prescription and medication order comprising:

transporting at least one first medication container and second medication container to a capper system; and

capping at least one of the first and second medication containers with one of a cap of first branding and a cap of second branding based on customer information associated with the at least one first and second medication containers, wherein the first medication container and second medication container are capped with caps of different branding.